Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 122)

a seagull squawking. its mouth is wide open
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

These birds are super loud during sex—and that could teach us something about gender roles 

Plus other weird things we learned this week.

A dramatic, high-contrast shot of the snow-capped summit of Mount Everest, with jagged ridges and a glacier visible below. The peak is set against a deep blue sky and partially surrounded by bright white clouds.
Drones

Mount Everest has a poo problem. Are drones the answer?

Specialized drones removed 660 pounds of trash from the mountain this season.

This image set showcases three views of the Butterfly Nebula, featuring an optical and near-infrared view from Hubble (left and middle) and the latest Webb/ALMA image. ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, M. Matsuura, J. Kastner, K. Noll, ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), N. Hirano, J. Kastner, M. Zamani (ESA/Webb)
Space Telescope

Colorful space ‘butterfly’ glimmers with planet-making dust

Planetary building blocks shimmer in this extraterrestrial light show.

a shark tooth with jagged edges on a black background
Ocean

Sharks may be losing their bite

‘Jaws’ doesn’t hold up as well without those terrifying teeth.

six glowing succulents in shades of blue, yellow, red, green, and a mixture of all
Biology

Glow-in-the-dark succulents are here

‘Imagine glowing trees replacing streetlights.’

Illustration of the Great Fear of 1789
Science

Rumors spread like viruses. The French Revolution proved it.

Historians and epidemiologists join forces to uncover some scary and relevant lessons.

a broken payphone (left) and a refurbished one (right)
Engineering

In Vermont, one man is bringing pay phones back to life

Randtel refurbishes and retrofits used pay phones that the public can use for free.

Happy kid playing with toy airplane against summer sky background
Health

Do people dream in color or black and white?

About 70% to 80% of people report dreaming in color.

Anker docking stations on a yellow background
Peripherals

This Anker docking station can organize your entire desk and it’s $100 off during Amazon’s Labor Day sale

This 14-port hub can connect to and charge your laptop, external monitors, and accessories. Grab some upgraded USB-C cables as part of the sale, too.

A scanning electron microscope image of a micrometeorite impact crater in a particle of asteroid Bennu material.
Deep Space

Some asteroids are more ‘colorful’ than others. Here’s why.

New research on the Bennu asteroid explains why some look red, blue, or grey.

a curled yellow deep sea worm
Wildlife

Deep sea worm wears Rembrandt’s favorite toxic color

Rembrandt painted with it. This worm survives on it. Say hello to orpiment.

Black TREBLAB headphones and speakers on a white background
Headphones

TREBLAB offers more sound and savings with limited-time Labor Day headphone & speaker deals

Save up to 45% during the end-of-summer audio sale at Amazon, but act fast before prices rise and the leaves fall.

a blue lobster
Wildlife

A super rare, blue lobster escapes the dinner plate

The colorful crustacean has a one in 2 million genetic mutation.

Stream of beer filling up glass with foam coming over sides
Physics

How to brew the best beer foam, according to physics

Raise a pint to proteins.

A woman with her eyes closed and head tilted back, smiling serenely, stands in a dense forest. She is wearing a bright yellow raincoat and a backpack, with tall, dark tree trunks rising all around her. The sunlight filters through the canopy, creating a peaceful and happy mood.
Mental Health

Does St. John’s wort really increase serotonin?

The 'natural antidepressant' may not be as safe or effective as you think.

A low-angle view of three large, silver cylindrical storage tanks, with a bright blue sky and white clouds in the background. The center tank is labeled with a large "H2" and the word "HYDROGEN." A metal ladder and railing system is attached to the side of the tank. The corner of a tree with green leaves is visible in the foreground on the right.
Energy

A hidden fuel source beneath the Midwest? Scientists are investigating.

Natural hydrogen could transform the clean energy sector—if we can find enough of it.

A grey TCL Z100 speaker on a side table, with colorful couches and ottomans in the background
Speakers

TCL’s new Z100 speakers are the first with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, which promises to make surround sound setup super easy

With the adaptable Z100 wireless surround sound speaker system, TCL and Dolby want to introduce tech that makes movie nights feel special without needing a specialist.

Two images of Bootanomyia dorsalis with 1 mm size comparison
Land

Invasive parasitic wasp spotted in the US for the first time

How the insect made its way across the pond remains a mystery

Surkandarya Valley in Uzbekistan
Agriculture

An Uzbekistan cave holds an ancient agricultural secret

New evidence of farming discovered far outside the Fertile Crescent.

a solar flare as seen with a solar telescope. yellow streaks represent energy hurled away from the sun
Sun

Solar flares as you’ve never seen them before

The world’s largest solar telescope captured a powerful X-class solar flare in August 2024.